I spent my summer vacations going to Gimli, Manitoba where my mother had been born and raised (here is where my aunt would correct me - she was born and raised on Víðivöllum, a farm about 6 miles from Gimli). We drove from Southern Ontario to Manitoba which was usually a 3 day trip. This trip was agonizing as a child, a child who couldn't wait to be there and even worse, stuffed in the backseat with 3 siblings. When we got to the farm we spilled out of that car to be greeted by our Afi (grandfather), great Uncle Mundi, Uncle Oli, Aunt Gwen, usually Aunt Dilla and whoever else was on the farm upon our arrival. Being the youngest of 17 grandchildren, we were showered with attention and then left to explore and tag along to the barn, the beach and town.
The highlight of our summer was the Islendingadagurinn(the Icelandic Festival) that happened the long weekend in August. Back then it was a 1 day festival that started with a parade, had a program in the park, rides, races, food and every relative in one place. Our aunts and uncles would give us money to spend and because we were the youngest, our older cousins would often pay our way on the rides. I still remember the joy of counting our money before the festival and then after, discovering that we had more money than we started with! We thought we had hit the mother-lode and Gimli became a true place of plenty.
This year I made the trek back to visit. Having turned 50 this year it was more important than ever to get to Gimli. As I age, so do all of my aunts and uncles and "cousins by the dozens". I went 2 years ago with my mom - her last time trip home, and I realized then how important it is to get "home" and be with the people you love. Home really is where the heart is and for as much as I have fond memories of Gimli, it is my relatives that made it such a special place. Being with them, sharing with them, listening to them builds the "DNA" of our souls that gets passed on from generation to generation. We discover what makes us human, what our heritage is and how each generation adds to the "flavour" that makes us all connected and at the same time unique.
We had a wonderful visit with my Aunt Marge and Uncle Oli while we were there - Oli being my mom's only brother and a favourite of all his sisters, 4 who are still living (including my mom). Our family are great story-tellers and Oli told us a wonderful story of how an accordion from Iceland came into the family in 1930. I wanted to share this story with you, to share part of our family "DNA". The video is about 5 minutes and it includes some good music - get ready to do some toe-tapping and just enjoy the ride. After all, you are family too - part of the large "human family" that makes me feel at "home" wherever I go.
http://vimeo.com/72118830?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished-20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfGUyYTUzODIyN2EzZTE4ZmIwNjJjM2NiYWRmNGQ1ZmM0MTU2fDQ1MTA2Mzl8MTM3NjE4NTc4Ng%3D%3D